Thames River facts

While investigating facts about Thames River Cruise and Thames River Boats, I found out little known, but curios details like:

Henry III received a polar bear as a gift from King Haakon of Norway in 1252. The bear lived at the Tower of London and was given a long leash so it could swim in the river Thames and catch fish.

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In 1914, British WWI soldier Thomas Hughes tossed a beer bottle with a letter to his wife into the English Channel. He was killed two days later. In 1999, a fisherman dredged up the bottle in the River Thames. Although Hughes' wife had died in 1979, it was delivered to his 86-year old daughter.

What is the river thames used for?

In my opinion, it is useful to put together a list of the most interesting details from trusted sources that I've come across answering what animals live in the river thames. Here are 50 of the best facts about Thames River Map and Thames River Services I managed to collect.

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In 1914, British WW1 soldier Thomas Hughes throw a bottle with a letter to his wife into the English Channel. He was killed 2 days later. In 1999, a Fisherman found the bottle in the River Thames. Hughes wife had died in 1979 but the letter was delivered to the soldier's 86 year old daughter
Between 1309 and 1814 the River Thames could freeze so deeply that people would hold fairs on them. Often having large Bonfires and could even hold elephants on it.
There was a little ice age between 1600 and 1814. The river Thames in London used to completely freeze over for 2 months per year allowing "Frost Fairs" to take place with football pitches, bowling matches, fruit-sellers, shoemakers, barbers... even a pub or two.
The Great Stink of London, where the smell of human shit in the River Thames was so bad that it halted parliament. 250 tons of limes were used to mask the odor.
A hidden tributary of London's river Thames called the Tyburn has a short exposed stretch running through an antiques shop. There are golden fish living in the stream.
At least one dead body is washed ashore somewhere along the River Thames in London every week.
The Queen owns all of the U.K.'s swans. Every year there is an annual census of all the swans in the River Thames, a centuries-old tradition known as the Swan Upping that takes place the third week in July. This years Swan Upping started today.
In 1787 a large shark was caught in the Thames river, and when the contents of its stomach was examined it included a watch, silver chain and seal that had belong to a British sailor who had been lost at sea, but was originally from Shoreditch.
In 1967 the London Bridge, built in the 1830's and spanned the River Thames, was taken apart and the bricks were numbered to be reconstructed in Lake Havasu, Arizona.

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Why is the river thames important?

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Between 2180 and 2160 BC a tunnel was built under the Euphrates River to connect the two halves of Babylon. It was the biggest underwater tunnel until one was built beneath the Thames in 1824.

Bear Grylls rowed naked for 22 miles in a homemade bathtub along the Thames River to raise funds for a friend who lost his legs in a climbing accident. - source

Since 1944, there's a ship with 1.4 Kilo tonnes of vaguely live bombs lying in the Thames river in London. - source

The HMS Belfast, which served in D-Day and fought in the Korean War, expected to be scrapped in 1967, so the Imperial War Museum, the National Maritime Museum, and the Ministry of Defence all decided that it'd be preserved. Now, it is a museum on the River Thames. - source

When did the river thames freeze over?

On Victoria Day in 1881 a large ferry named Victoria capsized near London, Ontario in Thames River. The passengers were returning from picnics at Springbank Park, and approximately 182 people died. This disaster became known as the Victoria Day disaster.

How long is the river thames?

The River Thames flows through several counties including Gloucestershire County, Wiltshire County, Oxfordshire County, Berkshire County, Buckinghamshire County, Surrey County, Essex County, and Kent County.

Despite its stinky, polluted history, approximately two-thirds of the drinking water in London is sourced from the River Thames.

The River Thames has been featured in movies and books. Books that included the famous river include Alice in Wonderland, The Wind in the Willows, Three Men in a Boat, and in several of Charles Dickens" novels. It was featured in Indiana Jones and many other Hollywood feature films.

During the Blitz in World War II the River Thames was used by pilots to help them navigate at night.

It is estimated that the River Thames carries approximately 300,000 tonnes of sediment from its source to the North Sea.

When did the river thames last freeze over?

The River Thames was once used for disposing of raw sewage. It became too smelly in 1858 that its use had to be suspended.

From Kent to Oxfordshire along the River Thames there are more than 190 islands. Only 45 of the islands along the River Thames are inhabited.

In June 1667 a flotilla of ships led by the dutch Admiral de Ruyter sailed up the river Thames. Broke through the defensive chains guarding the English Fleet, burned part of it and towed away the Unity and the Royal Charles, pride and normal flagship of the English fleet.

In the last 30 years at least 119 different species of fish have been found living in the River Thames estuary.

How deep is the river thames?

During the Little Ice Age, the Thames River would freeze over so severely during the winter months, Londoners would come together and have celebratory fairs (open markets) on the ice, the first recorded in 1608.

The area in which Kenneth was raised including Quarry Wood and River Thames is believed to have inspired the setting in Kenneth's later work The Wind in the Willows.

During the financial crisis of 1720, known as the South Sea Bubble, the Houses of Parliament called for stockbrokers to be sewn into sacks filled with poisonous snakes and thrown into the River Thames. Now with a better link!

There are many houseboats on the River Thames that form a floating 'slum' of low-rent, cramped, sub-standard housing.

In the 1820s sewage was dumped directly into London's river Thames which was also used to supply drinking water.

The River Thames and the River Rhine were Connected Together until they were Separated Around 8,500 Years Ago.

Seals can be found as far upstream on the River Thames as the Waterloo Bridge during their breeding and nursing seasons.

Along with the Thames, London has a number of rivers that are now underground due to being built over as the city expanded

Paddle steamer SS Princess Alice, which sank in 1878 on the River Thames in London after a collision with another vessel; 700 people drowned in heavily polluted waters as 75 million gallons of London's raw sewage had been released nearby, the highest ever loss of civilians in UK waters.

The Queen of England legally owns all unclaimed Swans in British waters. Each year her Royal Swan Marker conducts a census of Swans on the River Thames

The River Thames today is home to 47 locks, 75 non-tidal bridges, and 29 tidal bridges.

The Thames river in London used to freeze solid at least occasionally (200+ years ago)

This is our collection of basic interesting facts about Thames River. The fact lists are intended for research in school, for college students or just to feed your brain with new realities. Possible use cases are in quizzes, differences, riddles, homework facts legend, cover facts, and many more. Whatever your case, learn the truth of the matter why is Thames River so important!